Infusion Relay Device for Constant Dose Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion systems face challenges in maintaining a constant dose rate when switching from one infusion device to another due to differences in flow rates, leading to potential peaks or drops in medication delivery, especially in continuous infusion processes like catecholamine administration.
Innovation Solution
The system operates the second infusion device at the first flow rate for a predetermined time to clear the residual fluid from the outlet delivery line before switching to the second flow rate, ensuring a continuous and stable infusion by matching the flow rate of the first infusion device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the second infusion device is operated at the second flow rate immediately upon switching from the first infusion device, then the infusion process continues without interruption, but the dose rate fluctuates due to residual medication in the outlet delivery line being delivered at a different flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The second infusion device is operated at the first flow rate for a predetermined time before switching to the second flow rate. This preliminary action ensures that the residual medication in the outlet delivery line is delivered at the correct flow rate, preventing dose rate fluctuations while maintaining continuous infusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet delivery line acts as an intermediary between the infusion devices and the patient. The system accounts for the volume of medication remaining in this intermediary line and adjusts the infusion timing and flow rate accordingly to ensure accurate dosing.
2Quantity of substance
If the outlet delivery line volume is increased, then there is more buffer capacity for fluid delivery, but the time required to clear residual medication from the line increases, delaying the effect of flow rate changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback regarding the outlet delivery line volume to calculate and adjust the predetermined time period. By knowing the line volume, the system can precisely determine how long to operate at the first flow rate before switching to the second flow rate, optimizing both buffer utilization and response time.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for performing a continuous infusion process using at least two infusion devices (1A, 1B) comprises the steps of: delivering a first fluid (M1) from a first medication container (100A) through a first delivery line (11A) at a first flow rate (F1) using a first infusion device (1A) in a first phase; and delivering a second fluid (M2) from a second medication container (100B) through a second delivery line (11B) at a second flow rate (F2) using a second infusion device (1B) in a second phase following the first phase. Herein, a relay device (2) connected to said first delivery line (11A) and said second delivery line (11B) is constituted to receive the first fluid (M1) via the first delivery line (11A) in the first phase and the second fluid (M2) via the second delivery line (11B) in the second phase, wherein the relay device (2) is further constituted to discharge the received first or second fluid (M1 M2) to an outlet delivery line (3) connected to the relay device (2) for administration to a patient (P), the outlet delivery line having a predefined delivery volume (DV). In addition it is provided that, subsequent to the delivery of the first fluid (M1) using the first infusion device (1A) in the first phase, the second infusion device (1 B) in an intermediate phase is operated for a predetermined delivery time to deliver the second fluid (M2) at the first flow rate (F1), the predetermined delivery time being determined taking the predefined delivery volume (DV) of the outlet delivery line (3) into account. In this way a method for performing a continuous infusion process using at least two infusion devices is provided, allowing for a continuous infusion at a desired, in particular constant dose rate in particular when switching from one infusion device to another.